Written by: Asim Umar
The ISIS-Khorasan branch encompasses Afghanistan, Pakistan’s tribal areas, Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan region, as well as border areas of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Following the attack on the Crocus Concert Hall in Moscow, the group also claimed responsibility for this incident under the banner of the ISIS-Khorasan branch.
Foreign fighters make up a significant portion of ISIS, particularly within the Khorasan branch. Based on evidence and reports, a majority of these foreign ISIS members are of Tajik and Pakistani nationality.
The recruitment of Tajik nationals into ISIS, specifically the Khorasan branch, has notably risen. The individuals involved in suicide and other deadly attacks primarily consist of Tajik nationals who migrate to Russia and other countries due to the challenging economic conditions in Tajikistan.
Tajikistan, a landlocked country, grapples with political instability, weak governance, pervasive corruption within governmental structures, low levels of production and exports, limited foreign investments, natural disasters, and various other factors contributing to its deteriorating economic circumstances.
Due to economic hardships, many Tajik nationals migrate to Russia and various European countries, where they often find employment in construction, agriculture, and small businesses. A portion of their earnings is sent back to their families in Tajikistan for support.
A significant number of Tajiks are recruited into ISIS through social media platforms in Russia. Some are influenced by ideology to join ISIS, while the majority are attracted by financial benefits. Once recruited, they are deployed to specific locations where their mission is determined—whether to carry out attacks in Europe or Asia.
Tajik ISIS fighters have been linked to deadly assaults in countries such as Russia, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and others, with many of them serving as suicide bombers.
In a statement made in March, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan expressed concerns about the growing involvement of Tajik nationals in these attacks. He disclosed that over the past three years, 24 Tajik individuals had carried out attacks in 10 different countries. However, this number may be a conservative estimate, as members of ISIS-Khorasan have been implicated in numerous other attacks.
For instance, in Kabul, a Tajik ISIS operative planned an attack on a religious madrasa using explosives concealed in his footwear but was apprehended before executing the plan.
Notable instances of Tajik suicide attackers include individuals like Abu Muhammad and Abu Ilyas (who attacked the Iman Mosque in Kabul), Abu Omar-Jawad (the assailant at a Chinese hotel), Abdul Jabbar (involved in attacks at a Chinese hotel and military airfield), Zakariya (the attacker at the Foreign Ministry, also known as Khyber Kandahari), and Abdul Haq Khorasani (the assailant at the provincial headquarters in Balkh).
The terrorist attack at the Moscow Crocus Concert Hall, carried out by Tajik ISIS members, resulted in 145 casualties. Similarly, in countries like France, Germany, Austria, and the US, numerous apprehended ISIS members were identified as Tajik nationals.
Reports suggest that Tajikistan’s challenging economic circumstances offer ample recruitment opportunities for ISIS-Khorasan. Furthermore, restrictions on many Islamic practices in Tajikistan have facilitated ISIS in attracting and recruiting individuals.
